Saints

Defense

The Saints apparently want to promote stability, but this is still curious. If New Orleans starts slow again next season, Haz is likely to be back on the hot seat.

A decision is possible by the end of the week. NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora confirms a report by SI.com’s Peter King that “hard penalties” will likely be forthcoming for the Saints organization, coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis, MLB Jonathan Vilma, and Rams DC Gregg Williams.

Whereas coach Sean Payton’s suspension begins on April 1 and Rams DC Gregg Williams’ is effective immediately, the NFL was nice enough to let Loomis conduct business during the draft and 2012 training camp. In other words, Roger Goodell felt Payton and Williams were guilty of more wrongdoing than Loomis. Loomis, of course, will be working with a much less attractive deck. The Saints traded their 2012 first-rounder for Mark Ingram, and their 2012 second-rounder has been stripped by the league’s punishment.

Goodell did say that the league’s investigation is in the “final stages,” and that he “hopes it will be completed soon.” The Saints were surely hoping for a resolution before the draft. According to CBS’ Mike Freeman, the penalties could be announced early next week.

“This is a seminal moment in the culture change we have to make,” said the high-placed source close to Goodell. “This has to stop now. Every team needs to hear the message that we’re in a different era now, where this appalling behavior is going to end.” The Saints can’t expect leniency. King believes Goodell will come down hardest on Rams DC Greg Williams, Saints coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis, and MLB Jonathan Vilma, “in that order.” All four, and perhaps more Saints defensive players, should expect multi-game suspensions.

Coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis, and assistant Joe Vitt are all appealing suspensions. The Saints are also appealing their $500,000 fine and the loss of second-round picks the next two seasons. We don’t expect Goodell to overturn any of the original punishments.

The Saints implement the same structure used while Payton was recovering from a serious knee injury last season. Although new DC Steve Spagnuolo has head coaching experience, he’s not as familiar with the team’s personnel and Payton’s philosophy. OC Pete Carmichael will call plays, just as he did to close out last season when the Saints had the most explosive offense in the league. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports OL coach Aaron Kromer is expected to take over during Vitt’s own six-game suspension to start the season.

“I was going out of bounds, and the guy went for my ankle. I said, ‘Hey, man, cut that out.’ He’s like, ‘Well, we get fined if we don’t go after your legs when you go out of bounds.’” said Smith. “And actually this past year, this last game when we played them, I had a little conversation with Gregg Williams. ... He took responsibility, he was saying it wasn’t right, but that’s who he was.” From what has been discovered of Williams’ philosophy, we have no reason to question the veracity of Smith’s accusations.

A ruling could reportedly come as early as next week. Although it’s unclear what the league’s punishment will be in an unprecedented case, the loss of New Orleans’ 2013 first-round pick and the suspension of former DC Gregg Williams are both good bets. Massive fines and additional docked picks are also likely.

The Saints parted with their 2012 first-round pick in last year’s trade for Mark Ingram, but could be docked lower-round selections this year in addition to their 2013 first-round pick. Schefter also expects fines and suspensions to accompany the Saints’ loss of draft picks.